Energy Research at DOE : Was It Worth It? Energy Efficiency and Fossil Energy Research 1978 to 2000

In legislation appropriating funds for DOE's fiscal year (FY) 2000 energy R&D budget, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee directed an evaluation of the benefits that have accrued to the nation from the R&D conducted since 1978 in DOE's energy efficiency and fossil energy programs. In response to the congressional charge, the National Research Council formed the Committee on Benefits of DOE R&D on Energy Efficiency and Fossil Energy. From its inception, DOE's energy R&D program has been the subject of many outside evaluations. The present evaluation asks whether the benefits of the program have justified the considerable expenditure of public funds since DOE's formation in 1977, and, unlike earlier evaluations, it takes a comprehensive look at the actual outcomes of DOE's research over two decades. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Framework for the Study3 Evaluation of the Energy Efficiency Programs4 Evaluation of the Fossil Energy Programs5 Overall Findings and RecommendationsAppendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersAppendix B: Presentations and Committee ActivitiesAppendix C: Bibliography Relevant to DOE R&D Policy, Congressional Mandates, R&D Results, and EvaluationsAppendix D: Measuring the Benefits and Costs of the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Fossil Energy R&D ProgramsAppendix E: Case Studies for the Energy Efficiency ProgramAppendix F: Case Studies for the Fossil Energy ProgramAppendix G: GlossaryAppendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations